jill: Welcome Erica! We're happy to have you here today to discuss season 7. You have your whole cast back.......that must feel great.

Erica_M: hi there everybody! I'm so so so so so so so so so so so so happy the cast is BACK!

jill: Are you ready for ?s?Erica_M: absolutely!

jill: Since Thomas Gibson signed his new contract after the writers started working on Season 7, did this affect their writing process or their plotting for the first few episodes of the season?

Erica_M: Great question. Jill knows I tried to remain incredibly positive during that trying time -- so I wanted to move forward believing the deal would be made. We proceeded with stories involving Hotch for that reason. There was a plan B incase it took longer to make the deal, but thankfully we didn't have to go down that road because it felt really foreign to me. done

jill: You mentioned the possibility of a future online chat with the writers? When do you think we might be able to look forward to that chat? Can you tell us anything about the newest writers? :-)

Erica_M: Yes, we should set something up soon before they're all buried in scripts! The new writers are all seasoned storytellers and are fans of the show, which is helpful! I will talk to them on Monday about getting on here to say hello to you all. done

jill: I just wanted to know if MGG would be directing any of the Prentiss returns eps?

Erica_M: MGG usually directs later in the season for scheduling purposes, so no... but the good news in that is it means we've got our girl back in the premiere! done

jill: Do they plan to bring the Prentiss storyline to a head quickly so she can get back to the team?

Erica_M: Yes. The challenge in the premiere was to honor the storylines we created for Prentiss and her departure without repeating episodes 617 & 618. We accomplished that (I believe) without sacrificing story but also without having her just appear in the teaser! done

jill: Where do you want to see CM go this season? Will you take us back to when the cases were the A story?

Erica_M: I want CM to do what it does best. Tell compelling stories about the darker side of the world we all live in... and honor our heroes and their lives while they protect us all. The second part of that question has me wondering why the cases didn't seem like the A-story before. done

Erica_M: Can you explain? done

jill: I think they mean the drama with the actors

Erica_M: OH! That! Yes, I want the drama to be on the screen this season. And it shouldn't have too much to do with outside forces this year. We've been in the spotlight but I want us to rally around the troops and support them on screen as we did off screen. I want ALL of us to have fun again this year because I think we forgot how... done

jill: Not sure Jill will allow this question but will Seaver be back at all or are we done with that character...no offense to Ms. Nichols!!!!

Erica_M: I think I told you guys before that I believe there's a story that's begging to be told about Seaver's dad -- but I don't know when I'll get to tell it. Rachel has been amazing about all of this and has graciously accepted that she's moving on. I was incredibly impressed with her good attitude. done

jill: Jill tweets lots about you and for me, a newbie, it has been eye opening. I didn't know you had been with the show since day one. She says you know these characters better than anyone. That says a lot. Do you feel the new writers will have that type of understanding?

Erica_M: Oh, thanks Jill! She has known me for years and understands that I'm really really REALLY protective of this show (mama bear-like) and of course, the characters. I respect our actors and listen to any and all concerns they have. Their job is to portray someone they've created and our joint-responsibility is to protect those characters from harm. The new writers are getting a crash course in that right now! done

jill: What is your biggest challenge this season since it is your first year of being our showrunner?

Erica_M: Managing my time has been the biggest challenge. I'm sure once production starts and scripts start rolling in I'll have another answer to that question! done

jill: Now that the spin is over will we have more the same amount of Garcia?

Erica_M: Our Lady G will be more present. She's such an amazing actress, I can not get enough of her! done

jill: Erica, speaking of Garcia...I can't wait till you see the pens fans have sent in this year. They have outdone themselves.

Erica_M: Oh! That's great! Can't wait to see them! done

jill: Next ? has to do with loose ends but it was in Spanish

jill: I have tried to translate it as best as I can

Erica_M: Okay...

jill: Will you be able to tie up some of the loose ends from seasons five and six?jill: I think that is the ?

Erica_M: The biggest loose end is Prentiss and all of the drama surrounding her departure and return, so, yes. I want to know what our team does outside of the BAU. We've come up with some good tidbits about each character. I still need to sit down with Thomas and Shemar since their contracts weren't finished when we wrapped. I think it's important to have the actors in on those conversations because we're all in this together and have to stay true to who we're creating. done

jill: Ed Bernero did cookies for us. Do you know what cookies are and will you be contiuing that tradition?

Erica_M: Oh! And Paget! She wasn't here when we sat down with the writing staff!

Erica_M: Of course! I've baked a few for you myself!

Erica_M: Yes, you can expect those throughout!

jill: Everyone has a favorite character and of course we never agree on who has the most screentime. My questions concerns the ladies. Can we hope they get some great screentime?

Erica_M: Yes Yes Yes

jill: A recent article say that AJ will be changing and her character will be more edgy. Looking forward to that. Any hints????

Erica_M: She's grown a lot since we've seen her and it's a confidence that is earned when you're on your own -- unable to depend on those friends who really had your back. Because Hotch promised he'd never replace her (ep 602, "JJ") and kept that promise, we'd like to see how it works with her as a profiler and her old communications duties will remain divided up among the team. She will not always be the face of the BAU for press conferences, etc. done

jill: Will Breen Frazier be back? Love his episodes. Miss not having him come to chat last season. We always had such a good time with him.jill: Several people sent in questions concerning Breen

Erica_M: Breen is back and better than ever. He's writing episode 704 and would be happy to chat. I know he's always had a good time with you guys. doneErica_M: Really? I'll pass that along to him and maybe you can get him in here soon!

jill: Okay, if we can do this in a reasonable fashion I am going to open this up to questions from MODS ONLY.

Erica_M: Yay!Hardkorr: If i may ask for clarification, EricaHardkorr: JJ is coming back as a Profiler now?

Erica_M: She is filling more of that role than any other role she had before, yes.

Hardkorr: That's awesome. She's always profiled just not "officially"

Erica_M: If a stranger watched our show, they'd think she is a profiler. We all know her history and can understand why she's earned this spot.Erica_M: Behind the scenes, I've wanted us to all have new challenges this season and I think it's great to show that on screen as well. done

00_WatchMod_SSA_Carpenter: Will we be seeing more of Sergio in season 7?

Erica_M: Ha! That's great! Sergio is mentioned in the premiere... is that a spoiler?!

jill: no that is cool

Hardkorr: Well we have Strauss back in Season 7? Will we find out what her secret is?

Erica_M: Yes, she too is in the premiere. I love Jayne Atkinson so much and would really like to see her in our show a bit more. There are hints to her secret in the premiere and we'll discuss when we chat about 701! done

Hardkorr: We love her too. She is the character we all love to hate

Erica_M: Right? Someone here called her Darth Vader! Yep. She is the perfect antagonist.

jill: Thank you for the Jim Clemente and John Douglas chat

Erica_M: Oh my gosh, those gentlemen are such a joy to work with -- haven't met John Douglas yet, but talked to him and hope to see him during his next trip to LA.

Hardkorr: Can you tell us if any interesting guest stars have been lined up yet?

Erica_M: Mark Moses (Mad Men among many other gigs) will be in the premiere. We just started prep and will have a list of guest stars coming our way by the mid of July. Will be sure to let you guys know.

Erica_M: (Jill, let me know if you meet up with JD)

jill: I think we are all meeting at the studio

Erica_M: oh... perfect!

jill: What can we as fans do to help support you this season?

Erica_M: Thanks for asking. Twitter is amazing (from what I understand of it!). These chats keep everybody on the same page and excited about the show that we all love... so we should make a real effort to keep these going. You having our backs while we're in the trenches is so important... your support goes a long, long way. Keeps the troops happy and encourages us to go on. One of our writers ran the LA marathon and said she connected with the crowd the whole time and their cheers made her keep going. That's how I feel about you guys. Your enthusiasm for CM is contagious. And when you're down about it, that's contagious too. So my hope is that you'll all be as excited as we are for season seven!

jill: I can't tell you what but a large group of fanatic fans have a surprise for you while I am there. Our way of showing you our support. We all have a lot of confidence in you and look forward to what your experience brings to the show.jill: The show is in good hands

Erica_M: Oooooo! I love surprises!Erica_M: And I have promised to take care of this show -- it's what I signed on for and it's what I plan on doing. Erica_M: Thanks for your support now... it means the world.

Debbie: Hi! Just two comments, if I may…I’m so excited about you being our showrunner! and having everyone at home again! I would love to see more of the science of profiling - kind of like when the show began. I miss that.

Erica_M: Thanks for your kind words. I'm excited too! Our challenge with the science of profiling is that we don't sound repetitive. We're always looking for new disorders and conditions that we can dive in to... Yeah! I know Debbie jill: Any more mod ?s

jill: Okay I am going to open ?s up to the room. ONE at a time

cmwinner: Just for clarrification, is Seaver's character only going to be mentioned in the premiere as to where she is or will we see her at all?

Erica_M: is my answer to that a spoiler? We will not see Seaver in the premiererobinotl: Will we be seeing more of Kevin (Garcia's boyfriend)? I kind of miss their interchanges.

Erica_M: We'll see Kevin a few times this season... they're really cute together. Loved them in the finale. done

Sherry_Belle: hello, in the last chat, you said that you would check into letting us watching eps online...what's the status on that?

Criminal Minds: Erica Messer, the showrunner for Criminal Minds, will be joining us in the Criminal Minds Fanatic chat room to discuss the seventh season of Criminal Minds on Saturday, June 25th at 4pm EST. Please email the Criminal Minds moderators for the password for this chat: cmfchat@gmail.com AND make sure the subject line reads 'request password for the "Erica Messer Chat"

IMPORTANT: the password for the chat will be sent the day of the chat.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Criminal Minds: Thomas Gibson has sent a message for me to share with all of you.

I am very happy to be returning to Criminal Minds for season 7. I'm excited about the return of Paget and AJ, as well as the rest of our excellent team. We'll all miss Rachel. She did a great job with a tough task. I know our writers have been busy cooking up some great stories for this coming season, and I look forward to profiling and catching some new bad guys. - Thomas Gibson

Criminal Minds: Joe Mantegna, David Rossi on Criminal Minds, and Bonnie Hunt attended the after party for the premiere of "Cars 2" presented by Walt Disney Pictures at the El Capitan Theatre on June 18, 2011 in LA.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Thursday, June 09, 2011

Criminal Minds article about directing: When actors step behind the camera to shoot an episode, it’s twice the work—and twice as rewarding On a soundstage in Hollywood, veteran actor David McCallum reaches into a corpse and pulls out a gushy-looking organ. Kidney? asks his NCIS co-star Michael Weatherly. Liver, McCallum responds, plopping the glob onto a scale.

As the scene ends, instead of standing in his place on the set with the rest of the cast to see if the scene needs another take, Weatherly dashes over to a TV monitor and watches a playback. Print it,” he declares, and the crew moves on to the next shot.

Wait a minute—is this guy an actor or the director? Today, on set of the episode called “One Last Score,” he’s both.

“I was so excited to get to work, I actually had to go for a run this morning to burn off some energy,” says Weatherly, the latest member of an elite group: actors directing episodes of their own shows.

Criminal Minds: Actors Matthew Gray Gubler (L) and Thomas Gibson who star in the television series "Criminal Minds" pose during a photocall at the 51st Monte Carlo television festival in Monaco June 8, 2011

Monday, June 06, 2011

Criminal Minds: As we have been posting for months Thomas Gibson still has no contract for season seven. Deadline Hollywood posted an article yesterday about the situation.

From Deadline Hollywood: Exactly one month before CBS' Criminal Minds is scheduled to start production on its upcoming 7th season, there is still no deal for co-star Thomas Gibson. And word is that talks between the actor and CBS have stalled. That is creating an issue for the series' writers who convened at the beginning of last week to break stories and work on scripts for next season. Gibson's character, Supervisory Special Agent Aaron Hotchner, has been key to the show's storylines, so it would be difficult to map out next season without knowing if he will be back.